Indianapolis—A proposal that would have injected $25 million into local roads coffers was shut down along party lines Tuesday afternoon. The amendment, authored by State Senator Tim Skinner (D-Terre Haute) and supported by State Senator Richard Young (D-Milltown), would have made a local infrastructure grant fund available to local governments using balances from the Major Moves trust fund.

“The quality and maintenance of Indiana roads, bridges and other infrastructure is an essential component of economic development and quality of life,” said Sen.Young. “We need to do all we can to give local leaders more options for funding those kinds of improvements.”

Proposed as an amendment to House Bill (HB) 1002 which authorizes the State Budget Agency to transfer funds from the state’s General Fund to the Major Moves 2020 Trust Fund, the measure would have reverted the language back to the original version passed overwhelmingly by both parties in the House of Representatives.

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, poor road conditions cost Hoosier Motorists $1.24 billion per year in extra vehicle repairs and operating costs, and Indiana received a D+ in the report grading the state’s infrastructure as a whole.

“In the remaining weeks of this legislative session, it is my hope we can bring everyone on board with this idea,” said Sen. Young. “Our local communities are depending on us.”

Sen. Young represents Senate District 47 which encompasses portions of Crawford, Dubois, Harrison, Orange, Perry and Washington counties. For more information on Sen. Young, his legislative agenda or other State Senate business, call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.IN.gov/s47.

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